Weekly birding round-up: 1 - 7 Oct 2024
Ah, autumn... A season of falling leaves. Both from trees, and from birders’ most-wanted lists. This week was all about the leaf warblers… Well, mostly. Other warblers were emphatically available, and more stray birds besides. This was a barnstorming autumn week for British birders with a fine eastern flavour to proceedings.
Is it too early to call the prior week’s Pale-legged Leaf Warbler the bird of the autumn? Britain’s second record, and the first live one of its kind for the Western Palearctic as a whole, certainly must be a contender.
While generally elusive, the bird did the decent thing and hung around into the current week at Bempton Cliffs RSPB (East Yorkshire) until 2nd, affording travelling birders the opportunity to make the pilgrimage and connect with it. Who knows how long we’ll have to wait for another…
With the first four British Eastern Crowned Warbler coming in fairly quick succession between the first in 2009 and our last in 2016, and even including an inland bird in Hertfordshire on 30th October 2011 at Hilfield Park Reservoir, we might have been forgiven for thinking this was a species that was going to feature fairly regularly in the autumnal news going forwards.
But no. Since the three-day bird at Bempton Cliffs RSPB (East Yorkshire) on 4th-6th October 2016, not a sniff of one have we had.
Finally Shetland – no stranger to a decent warbler from the east – finally broke its Eastern Crowned Warbler duck this week with a bird found out in the west side of Mainland at Turriefield on 3rd, just reward for the birders who’ve continued to faithfully work this generally under-watched area of the archipelago over the years.
News broke with ample daylight in the tank for those present in the isles this week to make their way west and connect with the bird. For many visiting birders this wouldn’t have been a new British bird, given three of our four prior British records were twitchable three-day individuals – but for Shetland resident birders, this was a big bird and a keenly anticipated addition to the county list.
Alas, there was no further sign of the bird at Turrifield the following day, frustrating a new wave of visiting birders coming onto Shetland that weekend.
Our first British Two-barred Greenish Warbler was the individual that settled on Gugh (Scilly) on 22nd-27th October 1987, precipitating a turbulent taxonomic journey onto the formal British list as the Green / Greenish / Two-barred Greenish Warbler complex was unravelled in the years that followed.
Our next came nine years later in Norfolk, a two-day bird at Holkham Meals on 15th-16th October 1996, but after the turn of the century the records have come more regularly – we now have 10 accepted British records to the end of 2022. Yorkshire’s no stranger to the species – birds were seen at Filey on 16th-18th October 2006, and Spurn on 16th-20th October 2021. Another bird joins the club this week, being found at Saltwick Bay (North Yorkshire) on 2nd-3rd.
Sunday 6th was barely underway before the mega alert sounded to announce yet another quality warbler had been found this week – again on the east coast of Britain, but this time further south than any of the preceding headline birds, at Winterton North Dunes in Norfolk.
Desert warbler at winterton this morning pic.twitter.com/RtImB1lxOH
— Stuart White (@stuart_white73) October 6, 2024
And the bird in question? A fine Asian Desert Warbler, only the fourth British record this century, and the second ever Norfolk record of the species – the last being the male that held territory on Blakeney Point for almost a week on 27th May – 1st June 1993. Long enough ago, then, to make this a significant bird for many county listers, and a bird that seemed to settle in, remaining on site throughout 7th.
We wrap up the headlines with another significant bird at a county level – what will, if accepted, prove to be the Isle of Wight’s first record of Crag Martin, seen fleetingly at St Catherine’s Point in the morning of 1st, but not thereafter.
While there have been a few records in recent years, and even one already earlier this year – seen in Cornwall near St Ives on 26th May – Crag Martin remains a statistically rare beast in these parts, with just 15 accepted records to the end of 2022. A good bird then, in anyone’s books.
With our collective attention turning inland towards passerines, and the year wearing ever on, numbers and variety alike of notable seabirds were generally waning lately.
Star bird, were it only confirmed, would be the probable Brown Booby seen perched awhile on the seawall at Ovingdean (East Sussex) on 3rd.
A Pacific Diver was present off Coolsiva Pier (Co.Clare) on 6th.
Numbers of Cory’s Shearwater remained fairly static, with around 3,200 birds noted, with a peak count of 630 seen from the Scillonian on 3rd. Great Shearwater meanwhile took a bit of a tumble, with some 1,700 birds logged over the week, and a peak count of 1,000 from Donegal Bay (Co.Donegal) on 7th.
Balearic Shearwater were also denuded, with a mere 125 birds noted nationwide. The best of those were 48 seen from Portland (Dorset) on 5th.
Leach’s Petrel failed to break the double-figure threshold. A singleton was seen from Whitburn CP (Co.Durham) on 1st; further singletons were seen on 2nd from Winterton (Norfolk) and Spurn (East Yorkshire), while two were seen on 2nd in East Yorkshire at Hornsea. A final single bird was seen from the Scilly-bound Scillonian on 3rd.
Cornwall provided the week’s only Little Auk, a bird seen passing Pendeen on 1st.
Numbers of Pomarine Skua and Long-tailed Skua alike both dwindled – some 65 of the former were seen, with 22 off Hound Point (Lothian) on 1st the highest tally; and 15 of the latter species were logged.
Onto the week’s long-legged beasties, where the news was mainly all about the Glossy Ibis, with 20 birds in total recorded in Britain and Ireland as a whole. Once again, a couple of sites held multiple birds – five were present at Exminster Marshes RSPB (Devon) on 1st-2nd; while three remained in Hampshire at Titchfield Haven NNR on 2nd-6th; and two were again seen in Lincolnshire at Deeping Lakes LWT on 5th.
A Purple Heron was seen on Lundy (Devon) on 6th.
Scilly retained a Spotted Crake on Tresco on 1st.
An east coast Corncrake on Spurn (East Yorkshire) on 2nd was at a classic locale; more surprising was an excellent London record on 3rd in Islington.
Our weekly dabble on the rarity duckpond begins with the geese, and a little more variety forthcoming, with the first Black Brant of the autumn seen at Seasalter (Kent) on 3rd, and one seen again on 6th at Graveney Marshes too.
Snow Geese our way continued to crop up daily. In Scotland, one remained on the Ythan Estuary (Aberdeenshire) on 1st-2nd, another was seen passing Fife Ness (Fife) on 1st, two were reported from Caerlaverock WWT (Dumfries & Galloway) on 5th and Mersehead RSPB (Dumfries & Galloway) on 6th, and final bird at Findhorn Bay (Moray) on 7th. In England, one settled at Martin Mere WWT (Lancashire & North Merseyside) on 3rd-7th; and two were seen on 7th in flight over Waters’ Edge CP (Lincolnshire) and, latterly, at Read’s Island.
Moving on to the quackers, the drake Canvasback was still present on Abberton Reservoir (Essex) on 2nd-4th.
The two female Ferruginous Duck remained settled at Shawell (Leicestershire) on 1st-6th; while the drake was still at Draycote Water (Warwickshire) on 2nd-7th.
The eclipse drake Lesser Scaup also remained on Belvide Reservoir (Staffordshire) on 1st-7th; while the drake was again seen on Loch Leven (Perth & Kinross) on 5th.
Five Ring-necked Duck were seen this week – one remained present on Lewis (Western Isles) on 1st-4th; another was seen in Orkney on Loch of Ayre on 3rd-7th; two drakes were present on Wellington GPs (Herefordshire) on 5th; and a further drake on Tiree (Argyll & Bute) on 7th.
The steadfast American Wigeon remained in East Yorkshire around Kilnsea Wetlands NR on 2nd-7th.
A drake Stejneger’s Scoter was seen in Lothian’s Gosford Bay on 7th. Another (or a White-winged Scoter) was seen going north past Holy Island (Northumberland) in the late afternoon of 7th.
Finally, Surf Scoter this week were seen in Lothian around Gosford Bay on 3rd-7th, and in Conwy at Old Colwyn on 3rd.
Starting the weekly waders in Scilly, three Dotterel were present on Bryher on 3rd and 6th, with a foray to Tresco on 6th-7th also, and St Mary’s on 7th.
Several prior American Golden Plover remained settled into the new week – birds at Clahane Strand (Co.Clare) on 1st-3rd; on Barra (Western Isles) on 1st-2nd; on Tiree (Argyll & Bute) on 1st-6th; and at Llyn Aled Reservoir (Conwy) on 2nd-7th. Ireland supplied further sightings – on Cape Clear (Co.Cork) on 2nd-3rd; at Blennerville and Carrahane Strand (Co.Kerry) on 4th-7th; and on Omey Island (Co.Galway) on 4th. On 6th a probable bird was noted in flight over Brae (Shetland).
Ireland did much of the heavy lifting this week where sandpipers were concerned. Starting with Baird’s Sandpiper, birds were seen at Blanket Nook (Co.Donegal) on 1st; Churchtown beach (Co.Wexford) on 1st-2nd still; Lady’s Island Lake (Co.Wexford) again on 5th-6th; and Inch Island Lake (Co.Donegal) on 5th.
Co.Wexford also supplied our only White-rumped Sandpiper, a bird seen at Lady’s Island Lake on 1st again.
A Semipalmated Sandpiper turned up at Dawlish Warren NNR (Devon) on 2nd-3rd, and another on 5th at Inch Island Lake (Co.Donegal).
Pectoral Sandpiper remained on Rogerstown Estuary (Co.Dublin) on 2nd, Exminster Marshes RSPB (Devon) on 1st, and Abberton Reservoir (Essex) on 2nd-4th. Another was found on 5th-7th at Nosterfield LNR (North Yorkshire).
The recent Spotted Sandpiper remained at Cameron Reservoir (Fife) on 1st-7th.
In Devon the recent Long-billed Dowitcher remained at Dawlish Warren NNR on 2nd-7th, and nearby Exminster Marshes RSPB on 4th. Up on North Ronaldsay (Orkney), one was again seen on the island on 1st, 5th, and 7th. A final bird for the week was found inland at Eyebrook Reservoir (Leicestershire) on 6th-7th.
Also in Devon at Exminster Marses RSPB, the juvenile Black-winged Stilt was still present on 1st.
The recent Lesser Yellowlegs was still to be seen at Pilning Wetland (Gloucestershire) on 1st-7th; the Essex bird again at Vange Marsh RSPB on 6th; and another at Clea Lakes (Co.Down) on 1st.
Finally, a handful of Grey Phalarope were seen this week – individuals at Easington (East Yorkshire) on 2nd; from the ferry east of Mull (Argyll & Bute) on 3rd; from the Scillonian on 3rd; at Bridlington (East Yorkshire) on 4th-7th; and at Ballynamona (Co.Cork) on 6th.
A shade over a dozen Sabine’s Gull were logged this week, a substantial reduction on the preceding week’s largesse. A handful of vantage points scored duos – two were seen from Blakeney Point (Norfolk) on 2nd; two from Tory Island (Co.Donegal) on 3rd; and two from St Mary’s (Scilly) on 6th.
An adult Bonaparte’s Gull was seen fleetingly at Carne (Co.Wexford) on 1st; an adult at Larne (Co.Antrim) on 4th; and an adult back in Co.Wexford again on 5th, this time briefly at Lady’s Island Lake.
An adult Ring-billed Gull remained at Blennerville (Co.Kerry) on 3rd, while a second-winter bird was found in the evening of 2nd at Scorton Quarry (North Yorkshire).
Glaucous Gull began to filter into Shetland this week – one was hanging around Uyeasound on Unst on 1st-6th, but followed by new arrivals two miles off Noss on 3rd, on Fair Isle on 4th where two birds were logged, at Loch of Spiggie on Mainland on 4th, and in Bluemull Sound on 7th. One was also seen on Orkney Mainland at Loch of Stenness on 4th and, further south, a bird was reported on 5th at Bontddu (Gwynedd).
Lastly, the adult Forster’s Tern was again seen in Poole Harbour at Holes Bay on 1st.
One of our recent pair of adult male Northern Harrier was once more seen this week at Tacumshin (Co.Wexford) on 1st.
The adult female Pallid Harrier continued her residence in Norfolk this week, being seen at Warham Greens on 2nd and 5th, Stiffkey on 3rd and 7th, and North Point Pools on 4th. The juvenile remained at Kilnsea Wetlands NR (East Yorkshire) on 1st-2nd, and a probable was seen in Dorset at Hengistbury Head on 3rd. A second-winter female was seen on 6th at Tramore (Co.Waterford).
A juvenile Red-footed Falcon was found out on Skokholm (Pembrokeshire) on 3rd.
Finally, a probable Rough-legged Buzzard was seen on 5th in Kent over Minster Marshes.
In a week headlined by a trio of heavyweight warblers, it should come as no surprise that we again start the passerines section of the round up with warblers – and what a supporting cast they were…
Orkney and Shetland were once again at it with rare locustellas. Lanceolated Warbler were found in Shetland on Fair Isle on 3rd-7th, and Unst on 4th-7th; and on Orkney on North Ronaldsay on 3rd.
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler meanwhile turned up on Unst (Shetland) on 3rd and Shetland Mainland at Garth on 7th, and on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 3rd-4th, the latter bird being trapped and ringed.
Before we move on from North Ron, the island also attracted a Booted Warbler on 4th-7th.
Unst, meanwhile, answered with a Paddyfield Warbler there on 5th-7th.
Nor was the warbler action restricted to the northern isles – East Yorkshire was pulling in plenty too, the best of the rest being led by the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler found on Flamborough on 2nd.
Flamborough also held a Marsh Warbler on 3rd-5th. Blyth’s Reed Warbler, meanwhile, were found in recent days at Blakeney Point (Norfolk) on 1st, Gibraltar Point NNR (Lincolnshire) on 2nd-3rd, and at Southwold (Suffolk) on 6th.
Norfolk also enjoyed a Greenish Warbler at Wells Woods on 3rd. An Arctic Warbler remained at Spurn (East Yorkshire) on 1st-4th; another was found on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 1st; a possible on the Shetland mainland at Gulberwick on 2nd; a bird on Mizen Head (Co.Cork) on 3rd-7th; another Irish individual on Inishbofin (Co.Galway) on 6th; and a final Shetland bird on Mainland on 7th at Burn of Njugleswater.
That autumnal staple, Dusky Warbler, began to arrive – birds being found at Spurn (East Yorkshire) on 2nd-5th and 7th – and trapped and ringed there on 5th – and Gibraltar Point NNR (Lincolnshire) on 3rd.
Their strongly marked autumn counterpart, Radde’s Warbler, also checked in – birds being found on Isle of May (Fife) on 1st, Holkham Pines (Norfolk) on 1st and 3rd, and trapped and ringed at Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR (Lincolnshire) on 4th and Flamborough (East Yorkshire) on 7th; another probable was found on Flamborough later the same morning.
That perennial crowd-pleaser, Pallas’s Warbler was also present and correct – birds were found lately on Shetland Mainland at Cunningsburgh on 1st; two at Filey (North Yorkshire) on 3rd; one at Long Nab (North Yorkshire) on 3rd-7th; and another in Suffolk at Southwold on 3rd-4th.
On Scilly, the Western Bonelli’s Warbler reappeared on Tresco on 2nd-3rd.
Yellow-browed Warbler continued to arrive in their hundreds for another week, with inland sites and coastal sites alike being blessed with them.
A Subalpine Warbler sp was found on 6th-7th at Mizen Head (Co.Cork).
On Flamborough (East Yorkshire) the recent Icterine Warbler remained present until 4th. A probable Melodious Warbler reported on St Mary’s (Scilly) on 2nd couldn’t be relocated and confirmed, but another was present at Land’s End (Cornwall) on 6th.
Wrapping up the scarce and rare warblers, Barred Warbler remained omnipresent, with some 70 birds logged nationwide over the duration of the week.
Shrikes next, and some absolute peaches in their number this week. Brown Shrike kick things off, with birds on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) still on 1st, and Fair Isle (Shetland) on 1st also.
Fair Isle was having an absolute banger of a day on 1st, for it also landed a probable Daurian Shrike that day. This was followed by another bird at Bempton Cliffs RSPB (East Yorkshire) on 3rd-7th.
Red-backed Shrike nudged into double figures this week. Great Grey Shrike meanwhile were represented by a bird at Flamborough (East Yorkshire) on 1st-4th; a further example in Norfolk at Marsham Heath on 3rd; and final birds on 7th at Attenborough NR (Nottinghamshire) and near Carnforth (Lancashire & North Merseyside).
Very little betters a Red-flanked Bluetail, but at this time of year we can usually rely on their kind being first-winters. An adult male, found at Flamborough (East Yorkshire) on 3rd, represents an upgrade. Another was found at the close of the week on 7th on North Ronaldsay (Orkney).
Bluethroat this week were found at opposite ends of the country, on Unst (Shetland) on 1st, and Gugh (Scilly) on 2nd; and at Salthouse (Norfolk) on 3rd-4th.
Eastern stonechat sp continued to crop up for another week – one remained on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 1st-3rd; additional individuals were seen at Blakeney Point (Norfolk) on 3rd; at Marske (Cleveland) on 3rd-5th; at Amble Links (Northumberland) on 3rd-7th; Cromer (Norfolk) on 4th-7th; on Holy Island (Northumberland) on 5th-7th; and a possible at Bamburgh Castle (Northumberland) on 5th.
Norfolk gave us an unconfirmed report of a Rock Thrush on 2nd.
More concrete, the first Desert Wheatear of the season checked in at Inverallochy (Aberdeenshire) on 5th.
Red-breasted Flycatcher continued to make landfall countrywide, with some 35 birds logged over the week. One on Bishop Rock (Scilly) was a particularly unexpected and wayward example.
An Eastern Yellow Wagtail was found on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 1st; a further possible was at St Brides (Pembrokeshire) on 5th, and a final possible on Unst (Shetland) on 7th. More, surely, to follow soon.
A possible Black-headed Wagtail was also on Fair Isle on 1st.
Richard’s Pipit began to arrive in numbers, with 16 birds seen in recent days, countrywide, from Shetland to Scilly, including two at Happisburgh (Norfolk) on 6th-7th.
An otherwise rather subdued week on Scilly was greatly improved on 6th with the discovery of an outrageously showy Tawny Pipit on the airfield on St Mary’s. This followed another found on 5th at Weybourne Camp (Norfolk).
Another measure of the gathering autumnal pace, Olive-backed Pipit began to make landfall this week. Birds were found at Gibraltar Point NNR (Lincolnshire) on 2nd-3rd; Thornwick Bay (East Yorkshire) on 2nd-7th; and Corton (Suffolk) on 4th. On 6th additional birds arrived, on Foula (Shetland), at Kergord on Shetland Mainland, and a probable on Holy Island (Northumberland). A further probable was at Bempton Cliffs RSPB (East Yorkshire) on 3rd. Two were found on Unst (Shetland) on 7th, while a final confirmed bird was present on Fair Isle (Shetland) that day, with a Pechora Pipit also present there.
The Lizard (Cornwall) held onto its juvenile Rose-coloured Starling on 1st-4th; another was found up on Shetland at Aith on Mainland on 2nd-4th.
A Short-toed Lark was proving popular with the Scilly faithful on 1st-7th. Additional birds were seen on Lundy (Devon) on 1st-4th still; and at Holme (Norfolk) on 3rd.
Cornwall scored a Red-rumped Swallow at Kennack Sands on 2nd; Devon meanwhile was graced by an Alpine Swift over Otterton on 5th.
Late-travelling Golden Oriole were seen in Shetland at Bridge of Walls on 2nd, and Aith on 2nd-3rd and again on 5th.
Some 30 Wryneck were seen during the course of the week, with two present at Land’s End (Cornwall) on 6th notable.
Hoopoe provided ample colour, with almost 20 birds noted this week – at Bransholme (East Yorkshire) still on 1st-4th; at Stamford Bridge (East Yorkshire) still on 1st-2nd; at North Walsham (Norfolk) still on 2nd-7th; on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 1st-7th; in Swansea (Glamorgan) on 1st-7th; on 1st at Marden (Northumberland) and Seaford (West Sussex); on Bryher (Scilly) on 3rd; at Foulridge Reservoirs (Lancashire & North Merseyside) on 4th-7th; at Withernsea (East Yorkshire) on 4th; and also on 5th-6th on Westray (Orkney). On 6th birds were found on Holy Island (Northumberland), at Sheringham (Norfolk), at Minley (Hampshire), Newtonhill (Aberdeenshire), Cayton (North Yorkshire), and at Cahore (Co.Wexford); while another was reported that day at Hurley (Berkshire). On 7th one had reached northern Shetland, being found on Yell, and another in Ireland at Booley Beach (Co.Wexford).
A shade over a dozen Common Rosefinch were logged this week, with Isle of May (Fife) again dominating sightings, with five birds there on 3rd.
Widely separate Ortolan Bunting were seen this week on Shetland Mainland at Exnaboe on 1st, and St Mary’s (Scilly) on 1st, 4th, and 6th-7th.
Numbers of Little Bunting soared in recent days, with 23 birds seen across Britain as a whole. Some sites notched up multiple birds – two on Unst (Shetland) on 2nd; two at Flamborough (East Yorkshire) on 4th; and three on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 4th.
Flamborough (East Yorkshire) also landed a Rustic Bunting at Thornwick Bay on 3rd. Trimley Marshes SWT (Suffolk) was enjoying an eventful day of ringing on 5th, with both Little and Rustic Bunting hitting the nets that day.
Fair Isle’s (Shetland) golden day on 1st was further gilded by a Black-headed Bunting.
The week’s final flourish, alas not confirmed and thus elevated to the headlines, must go to East Yorkshire – a bunting at Spurn, on 3rd, was considered on the basis of sound-recordings, to be a probable Black-faced Bunting.
Overseas news this week simply has to start close to home, in the Netherlands, where on 5th-6th a Dark-sided Flycatcher was found at Gazenhoek – a first national record, and only the third of its kind for the Western Palearctic. Surely a species that’s going to make it to Britain eventually…
Dark-sided Flycatcher, Muscicapa sibirica photographed at Wassenaar, Meijendel, Zuid-Holland by Bas van Gennip - the 1st record for the Netherlands and 3rd for Western Palearctic pic.twitter.com/z8EXTI8sal
— Tarsiger (@TarsigerTeam) October 5, 2024
Norway was enjoying a solid week for eastern vagrants – a Green Warbler in Værøy on 28th-1st was followed by a White’s Thrush also there on 1st, and a Siberian Thrush at Utsira on 4th; while on Svalbard a Siberian Rubythroat was found at Ny Alesund on 1st.
In Denmark, the Sandhill Crane remained at Bygolm Vegle on 2nd.
France scored a Pechora Pipit at Pointe du Van on 4th.
In Germany the Northern Mockingbird remained settled at Feldflur Rheidt Am Schfott on 1st-4th.
The Yellow-crowned Night Heron remained in Portugal at Quinta do Lago on 4th.
Inevitably at this juncture, the Azores were getting busier. Two Trindade Petrel remained off Corvo on 1st; the island also accounted for Northern Parula on 1st and 4th-6th; Bobolink on 1st, 3rd, and 6th; two Red-eyed Vireo on 3rd-6th, rising to three on 5th; a Philadelphia Vireo on 4th-6th; an Indigo Bunting on 4th-6th; Semipalmated Plover on 5th-6th; Belted Kingfisher on 5th; a Black-and-white Warbler on 5th-6th; two Bay-breasted Warbler on 5th; American Redstart on 6th; Flores meanwhile enjoyed Yellow-billed Cuckoo on 4th, Great Blue Heron on 4th-6th, Hudsonian Whimbrel on 4th, and Semipalmated Plover on 6th.
Rather further across the Atlantic in our general direction, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak was found on the Canaries on Gran Canaria on 6th.
It’s not often the dark arts of predicting the coming week’s rarities actually deliver the goods in these quarters, so last week’s quartet of Lanceolated, Pallas’s Grasshopper, Booted and, most notably of all, Eastern Crowned Warbler is a moment to savour for your own correspondent.
But today’s surprisingly accurate predictive news is tomorrow’s chip paper, and normal wildly optimistic service can now resume…
All the usual suspects could feature in the coming week – it’s historically a good period for the likes of Blackpoll Warbler, American Pipit, and Bobolink from the west; and Red-flanked Bluetail, Rustic Bunting, and Pied Wheatear from the east.
Jon Dunn
08 Oct 2024
Many thanks to all this week's contributors for your photos and videos
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